The Indian Parliament election results are just hours away. Most commentators suggest that national parties – Congress and Bhartiya Janata Party are likely to fare batter then the last time. The regional parties are likely to lose some of the clout they had come to enjoy. We seem to have come full circle. The single national party – Congress – threw away democratic norms during the regime of Mrs Indira Gandhi and small regional outfits led by Devi Lals and NTR’s and Bijus and Karunanidhis came up. These were followed by Lalus, Mulayams, Paswans, Devegaudas, Mayawatis and the ilk. Politics seemed to be losing relevance. People of India have high aspirations – they aspire to have better education, communications and jobs – not just bijli-sadak-pani (power-roads-water).
We, as a nation, need to learn our lessons. We the citizens must keep the politics on right track. Must ask ourselves – What has to be done to make politics relevant again – transparency, accountability, involvement of intelligentsia? What am I doing to achieve this, what can I do to this end. And act.
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